Hi everybody, I wanted to post my thoughts on the game
1. Pirates: the suggestions made for secret Pirate Bases are excellent, also occasionally pirate attacks should be lone capital ships instead of squadrons of frigates and such. Also a difficulty modifier for the 'marauders' button would be nice, IE
Option 1: No Marauders Option 2: Normal Marauders: Option 3: Enhanced Marauders
2. The Repair Cruisers tend to run out and attack in front of the main assault because they are faster, this isn't a good thing.
3. Commands: A Guard Command would be nice, and a button that forces my fleet to move at the speed of its slowest member!
4. I love the planets and the scale! Though more planet designs would be cool, or random city lights on the surface appearing as more and more development occurs.
5. Terrain- how about Nebula areas? Also why not have varrying gravity well sizes for planets, have some small planets and some large, the larger ones have more area to move around in.
6. Random Events, with a little story to them, as well as a reward for mission system, much like Medieval Total War's. IE the Senate has asked that you take the Echelon System in 20 Minutes for a reward of $ or Ships or Influence boost. Perhaps Galactic Achievements or Monuments too. Hell I'd even add a pool of 'commanders' that can be hired from the black market and assigned to ships granting bonuses, or planets too.
7. Why is there no in-between war and alliance... why can't I simply have a non-aggression pact?
8. Right now fighters and bombers seem extremely good! Don't Change This! Its awesome that way! In most games they tend to be an afterthought...
9. Some of the TEC ship designs don't blend well, some seem very advanced while others seem downright primitive. Pick a style and go with it. Notably I think the Carrier while cool, is just too much like its naval equivalent... if the TEC style gets revamped to be more advanced looking then the old models should be used for pirates... also unique or random models for the pirates would be cool.
10. Options for the symbol/icons popping up when zooming in/out would be nice.
11. I can't seem to get a rally point to a different system, this should be do-able!
At any rate this is an excellent game, well worth my 45$ It reminds me most of Conquest Frontier Wars, which is essentially the same game type, but this is better implemented on the strategic level, partly because the technology is capable of it now (poor CFC did not have the funding or tech to be fully 3d like this). Overall the pacing is good, though it could use a 'speed' button so that we can fast forward the action, still its regular pacing is quite enjoyable. I enjoy watching TV, and then looking back during commercials to find a crisis in play!
Everything is beautiful to look at! I hope more varying environs are made though, jungle planets, gas giants and such should make an appearance!
Overall this will be my favorite RTS for a loooong time to come, it has some excellent features...Great Work!
